Bella Ramsey's 'Sunny Dancer' Film Lands North American Theatrical Release with Quiver

Quiver has acquired the North American distribution rights for the British indie film 'Sunny Dancer' and plans a theatrical release, according to Variety. The coming-of-age drama stars Bella Ramsey and is the sophomore feature from director George Jaques.

The sales news comes ahead of the film's U.K. theatrical release by True Brit Entertainment on Aug. 14. With sales overseen by Embankment Films, the project proved a hot ticket after launching at the Cannes market in 2024, securing deals across Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, and numerous other territories.

Who is in the 'Sunny Dancer' cast?

Bella Ramsey leads an ensemble cast that includes Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Gunning, and James Norton. The supporting cast features Ruby Stokes, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Earl Cave, Conrad Khan, and Jasmin Elcock.

What is the film about?

Shot in Scotland, "Sunny Dancer" follows 17-year-old Ivy, a teenager in remission from cancer. Struggling to embrace her adolescence, she's sent by her parents to a summer camp for kids in remission, which she dubs "Chemo Camp." There, she has a hard time adjusting but finds unexpected friends in a group of misfits, leading to a summer she'll never forget.

Quiver's co-presidents expressed their enthusiasm for the project. "We are thrilled to bring 'Sunny Dancer' to the big screen, where its vibrant energy and deeply moving story truly belong," said Berry Meyerowitz and Jeff Sackman. They called it "exactly the kind of fresh, unforgettable cinema that reminds us why we love going to the movies."

Tim Haslam of Embankment Films noted the strong distributor response, calling it a joy to champion the filmmaker's vision. Executive producer Herbert L. Kloiber of Night Train Media praised Jaques's "sophisticated storytelling" for creating a "genuinely humorous and deeply emotive cinematic experience."